“It’s based on the true story of a gangster in Cavite City, where I grew up,” he says. “He’s now dead but during his time, kilalang-kilala siya roon. Matagal ko nang gustong gumawa ng movie sa lugar na kunsaan ako lumaki at I'm happy I was able to shoot ‘Bhoy Intsik’ there in its entirety. Naipakita ko yung buhay ng mga tao roon na nakatira sa isang barangay sa loob ng sementeryo. At naipakita ko rin doon yung tapunan ng basura na malapit lang sa dagat. Ayokong-ayoko roon kasi nakakasira ng environment and I’m glad I was able to show it in the movie.”
How did he get RS Francisco to play the title role? “I’ve worked with him before on TV and nakita ko rin yung work niya sa theater. When his name came up, I thought bagay siya sa role and when we talked to him, I said siya ang gaganap na ‘Bhoy Intsik’, hindi siya makapaniwala. Baka hindi raw niya kaya magbida kasi puro supporting roles lang ang ginagampan niya before. First time ko rin makatrabaho ang co-star niya rito, si Ronwaldo Martin, and at first, kinakabahan ako, but they both turned out to be very good, very professional. The movie is about small time felons in this time of extra-judicial killings, so very timely rin ang pelikulang ito, napapanahon.”
